GAB GIVES HERO'S WELCOME TO CASIMERO

IBF World flyweight champion John Riel “Quadro Alas” Casimero (middle) is flanked by GAB Chairman Baham Mitra (left) and boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz.

By LITO DELOS REYES

MANILA – The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) recently gave a rousing hero’s welcome to International Boxing Federation (IBF) world flyweight champion John Riel “Quadro Alas” Casimero, who successfully retained his title last September 10 in London.

Casimero, who stopped challenger Charlie Edwards in 1:57 of the 10^th round, was treated with hero’s welcome by GAB chairman Abraham Khalil “Baham” Mitra and the GAB employees led by Boxing Chief Dr. Nasser Cruz.

The 26-year old Casimero, who was accompanied by his manager Sammy Gello-ani and his trainers, were welcomed with confetis and chants. A prayer was also offered and a video tribute was shown.

“The champion merely paid a courtesy call and was very game to take selfies photos and he also signed autographs,” said Mitra.

Casimero, a native of Ormoc City, is one of the three new Filipino world boxing champions under the administration of President Rody “Digong” Duterte.

The others are WBO World bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales of Lanao del Norte and IBF World super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas of Panabo City.

Tapales survived a 5^th round knockdown to win by an 11^th round stoppage against Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand while Ancajas scored an 8^th round knockdown en route to a convincing unanimous decision against Puerto Rico’s champion McJoe Arroyo.

The three Filipino champions are hoping that they can pay a courtesy call at the Malacanyang to personally meet President Duterte.